Slip ring for lighting fixtures



g- 8, 1944- J. D. WOLFE 2,355,353

SLIP RING FOR LIGHTING FIXTURES Filed April 25. 1942 INVENTOR Jerome 0. 14/0! 6 Patented Aug. 8, 1944 UNITED STATES eATE NT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a slip ring for lighting fixtures, and the like.

More particularly, the invention proposes the construction of a slip ring which is made from a sheet metal ring having curved side walls for reinforcing and stifiening purposes and having its top and bottom edge portions of a diameter slightly larger than a pipe or rod upon which the ring is to engage. Further it is proposed that the top edge portion of the ring be formed with a plurality of lugs extending inwards, upwards and outwards for gripping and holding the fixture being supported upon the pipe or rod and for resiliently gripping the side of the pipe.

Another object of the invention proposes punching the ring with an opening with inwardly bent pieces of metal which are tapped for the reception of a set screw to engage the side of the pipe and assist the lugs in retaining the ring in a fixed position upon the pipe or rod.

At the present time commercial slip rings are being made which are constructed of two parts, an outer sheet metal rin part, and an inner filler ring part. This permits the slip ring to be drilled and tapped. However, this invention proposes to improve this commercial slip ring construction by eliminating the filler ring part and providing the ring proper with the tapped portion through which the set screw is adapted to be engaged.

The invention also proposes the construction of a modification in which the construction of the lugs are varied. The varied form increases the resiliency of the lugs and provides them with a greater gripping area for engaging the side of the pipe or rod.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a. device as described which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of this invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure: 7

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a lighting fixture provided with a slip ring constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View of a portion of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the slipring shown in Fig. 1, but illustrated per se.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary outside perspective View of the slip ring shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary inside perspective view of the slip ring shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a. fragmentary sectional View similar to that shown in Fig. 2 but illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary inside perspective View of the slip ring shown in Fig. '7. I

The slip ring in accordance with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4 includes a sheet metal ring In having curved side walls for reinforcing and stiffening purposes, and having its top and bottom edge portion of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of a pipe II of a lighting fixture I2 or the like, upon which the ring I0 is to be engaged. A plurality of lug portions I3 are located on the top edge portion of the ring. These lug portions I3 extend inwards (see Fig. 4) and upwards and outwards (see Fig. 2). The upwardly extending portions of the lug portions I3 seat against and resiliently engage the side of the pipe I I for holding the ring in position. The bottom edge of the fixture I2 is disposed between the adjacent faces of the inwardly and outwardly extending portions of the lug portions (see Fig. 2). I

The side of the slip ring I0 is formed with an opening I4 forming by punching through an area of the ring causing the metal of the area to be bent inwards. This inwardly bent metal I5 is tapped for the reception of a set screw I6. The set screw I6 has its inner end engaging the side of the pipe II for assisting the lug portions I3 of the ring Ill in holding the ring in position on the pipe II.

The manner of using this new slip ring consists in moving the slip ring In on the pipe I I to eng ge the lugs I3 into the bottom of the fixture I2 and then bending the free ends of the lugs over to engage the inside face of the fixture. The ring I0 and fixture I2 are then manually forced to a desired position on the pipe II and the set screw I6 is turned inwards to engage the side of the pipe II and assist the lugs in holding the fixture I2 in position upon the pipe.

In Figs. 7 and 8 a modified form of-the invention is shown which distinguishes from the prior form in the construction of the lugs thereof. The slip ring I 0 in this form of the invention of the set screw I6 will engage against and press this downwardly extending portion into gripping facial engagement with the side of the pipe II.

In other respects this form of the invention is similar to that previously described, and like reference numerals are used to identify like parts in each of the several views.

It is to be understood that any number of lug portions l3 and I3 may be used and they may be of any suitable length.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A slip ring for the pipes and rods of lighting fixtures and the like, comprising a sheet metal ring for engagement on the pipe or rod of a lighting fixture, lugs extending from the top edge of said ring and having a downwardly extending portions projecting along the face of said pipe, and a screw threadedly engaged through said ring in alignment with one of said downwardly extending portions to bear thereagainst and urge said downwardly extending portion into face engagement with said pipe or rod.

2. A slip ring for the pipes and rods of lighting fixtures and the like, comprising a sheet metal ring having curved side walls for reinforcing and stiifening purposes and having its top and bottom edge portions of a diameter slightly larger than a pipe or rod upon which the ring is to be engaged, and a plurality of lug portions on the top edge portion of said ring and extending inwards, upwards and outwards and engagin edge portions of said lighting fixture, an opening punched in one side of said ring with the inwardly bent portions of the metal being tapped, and a set screw threadedly engaged through said tapped area for engaging and gripping the side of said pipe, said outwardly extending portions of said lug portion continuing into downwardly extending portions extending along the face of pipe or rod, one of said downwardly extending portions being disposed between the side of said pipe or rod and the inner end of said set screw to be urged tightly against said pipe or rod by said set screw.

JEROMIE D. WOLFE. 

